Full Steam Ahead: V.O. Chidambaranar Port Sails Past Historic 25-MT-Mark in First 7 Months
Thoothukudi:
Port Wings News Network:
V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, one of the fastest growing major ports in Sothern part of India, has sailed past a major milestone, surpassing 25 million tonnes of cargo handling on 24 October 2026. Driven by rising cargo and container volumes, the port has also set new operational records in FY 2026–27, reinforcing its growing momentum and operational excellence.
During FY 2026–27, up to October 2026, the Port has handled 25.18 million tonnes of cargo, an increase of 3.01% over 24.44 million tonnes in the corresponding period of the previous financial year. Container traffic rose 1.76% to 5.02 lakh TEUs, compared with 4.94 lakh TEUs a year earlier.
Among major cargo segments, coal handling increased 13.47%, from 9,217.90 tonnes to 10,459.94 tonnes. Fertiliser handling rose to 5.70 lakh tonnes from 2.33 lakh tonnes in the corresponding period last year.
SINGLE-DAY CARGO HANDLING RECORDS
The Port recorded its highest-ever single-day cargo handling of 2.17 lakh tonnes on 5 September 2026, surpassing its previous record of 2.16 lakh tonnes. It also handled M.V. CMA CGM THORIUM, measuring 335.23 metres in length, the longest vessel handled at the Port to date.
Terminal operations registered further gains in September 2026. Tuticorin International Container Terminal (TICT) at Berth No. 9 handled 33,771 TEUs across 32 vessels, its highest monthly throughput. JSW Tuticorin Multipurpose Terminal discharged 43,052 tonnes of coal in 24 hours, exceeding its earlier record of 41,853 tonnes.
Rail-based fertiliser movement also set new benchmarks. On 29 September 2026, the Port recorded its highest single-day fertiliser loading by rail at 8,061 tonnes for FACT, KRIBHCO and IPL. Raja Agencies separately set a single-agent dispatch record, moving 6,376.9 tonnes of fertiliser in 100 railway wagons to destinations including Haveri, Sannath Nagar, Bellari and Katpadi.
Susanta Kumar Purohit, IRSEE, Chairperson, V.O. Chidambaranar Port Authority, congratulated port users, shipping lines, terminal operators, trade partners, employees and other stakeholders on the achievements.
He said, “Crossing 25 million tonnes of cargo handling is an important milestone for the Port and reflects the collective efforts of our stakeholders. Our priorities remain improving operational efficiency, strengthening rail and maritime connectivity, expanding infrastructure and facilitating seamless cargo movement. These efforts will further strengthen the Port’s contribution to India’s maritime trade and economic growth.”
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